A REPORT FOR THE DESIGN OF TRAPEZOIDAL FOOTING

TAMAYAO, JOHN MOPHET O.

CE 510 – CE52FC1
1st Semester S.Y. 2019-2020

Technological Institute of the Philippines

Cubao, Quezon City

August 20, 2019

Design of Trapezoidal Footing
A special case of footings is the trapezoidal footing, which may be used to carry two columns of
unequal loads when distance outside the column of the heaviest load is limited. In such case using a
rectangular footing may lead to the resultant of loads does not fall at the middle length of the footing. To
overcome this difficulty, a trapezoidal footing is used in such a way that the center of gravity of the footing
lies under the resultant of the loads. Correspondingly, the distribution of contact pressure will be uniform.

(a) (b)

To design such footing, first, you must assume the total depth, t, with a total effective depth, d,
equals the difference of total depth minus steel cover. You can also assume the type of trapezoidal you are
using, i.e. between figure (a) and (b).
Assuming, we choose figure (a) as an example, given the allowable bearing capacity of soil and
loads carried by columns having either square or rectangular cross-section, determine the ultimate upward
soil pressure.
𝑞𝑎 𝑞𝑢
=
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 ∑ 𝑃𝑢
Then, solve for the dimensions of footing A or B.
 (𝐴 + 𝐵)(𝐿 + 𝑆)
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎, 𝐴 =
2
𝑃𝑢
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎, 𝐴 =
𝑞𝑢
𝑅𝑦 = 𝑃1 (𝐿) + 𝑃2 (0)
𝐴𝑥̅ = 𝐴1 𝑥1 + 𝐴2 𝑥2 + 𝐴3 𝑥3
Where,
R = Resultant Force = 𝑃1 + 𝑃2
(𝐵 − 𝐴) 𝐿 (𝐵 − 𝐴)(𝐿)
𝐴1 = ( )=
2 2 4
(𝐵 − 𝐴)(𝐿)
𝐴2 =
4
𝐴3 = 𝐴𝐿
𝑥̅ = 𝑦 + 𝑠/2
Compute for the pressure at the big and small end.
𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑞𝑢 × 𝐵
𝑞𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑞𝑢 × 𝐴

Solve for the location of maximum moment, x, which is zero shear, Vu = 0, to determine the
maximum moment the footing carries.
 To solve for the Beam Shear, determine the adequacy of footing by using shear-moment diagram.
Solve first, the values of h1, h2, h3 and h4. Then, get the values of V A, VB, VC, VD and VE. From the
diagram, it can be seen that the critical shear force, Vu, is at point C, a distance, d, from face of exterior
column.

By using ratio and proportion, solve for the base of critical shear, b. Then, determine the adequacy
of Beam of shear. ∅𝑉𝑛 is must be greater than Vu to be safe.
∅
∅𝑉𝑛 = √𝑓′𝑐𝑏𝑑
6
Where,
b = base at critical shear
d = t – steel cover
SAMPLE PROBLEM: